Magnetic valve with grooved armature surrounded by discrete disc-shaped annular windings

ABSTRACT

A magnetic valve has a housing provided with an aperture and a valve member movable in the housing between two positions in which it respectively opens and blocks the aperture. An armature of ferromagnetic material is connected to the valve member for movement with the same and provided with a predetermined number of axially successive outer circumferential grooves. Winding means cooperates with the armature for moving the same when energized and has a number of discrete disc-shaped annular windings surrounding the armature, this number corresponding to the predetermined number of grooves in the armature. Each of these windings constitutes a discrete electromagnet whose magnetic field acts upon the armature.

United States Patent I lnventor Wilhelm Vogel Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Germany Appl. No. 31,046 Filed Apr. 7, 1970 Patented Dec. 7, 1971 Assignee Robert Bosch Gmbll Stuttgart, Germany Priority Apr. 18, 1969 Germany P 19 19 708.1

MAGNETIC VALVE WITH GROOVED ARMATURE SURROUNDED BY DISCRETE DISC-SHAPED ANNULAR WINDINGS inn/ea any/Me "WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIZI,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,190,608 6/1965 Hassa 251/137 X 2,196,120 4/1940 Parker.. 251/137 2,102,034 12/1937 Roller 251/137 X 2,637,344 5/1953 Matthews 251/139 Primary Examiner-Arnold Rosenthal Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A magnetic valve has a housing provided with an aperture and a valve member movable in the housing between two positions in which it respectively opens and blocks the aperture. An armature of ferromagnetic material is connected to the valve member for movement with the same and provided with a predetermined number of axially successive outer circumferential grooves. Winding means cooperates with the armature for moving the same when energized and has a number of discrete disc-shaped annular windings surrounding the armature, this number corresponding to the predetermined number of grooves in the armature. Each of these windings constitutes a discrete electromagnet whose magnetic field acts upon the armature.

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PATENTED DEC 7 Inn m1; Arm/Fwy MAGNETIC VALVE WITH GROOVEI) ARMATURE SURROUNDIED BY DISCRETE DISC-SHAPED ANNULAIR WINDINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a valve, and more particularly to a magnetic valve.

Still more particularly, the present invention relates to magnetic valves having a rapid response time.

Valves of this type are used in a variety of applications, and are particularly advantageous in conjunction with electronically controlled fuel injection devices for high-revolution internal combustion engines. Of course, such valves, and particularly magnetically operated valves, are already known. Generally speaking, they have structural characteristics which may be summarized by stating that the relationship between the mass of the valve bodyor reference to the mass of the armature is small, that the relationship of the magnet pole surfaces is large with reference to the mass of the armature, and that the used magnetic materials have as low as possible a remanenz induction with the winding being as of low inductivity as possible.

However, no magnet valve is known at present whose response time, that is the time required for opening and closing of the valve, is as rapid as would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a novel magnet valve having the aforementioned advantageous characteristics.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel magnet valve whose response time is particularly rapid, in excess of what is attainable with the known measures employed in known magnet valves.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a magnetic valve which, briefly stated, comprises a valve housing having an aperture and a valve member movable between two positions in which it respectively opens and blocks this aperture. An armature of ferromagnetic material is provided and is connected to the valve member for movement with the same, and it is formed with a predetermined number of axially successive outer circumferential grooves. Winding means cooperates with the armature for moving the same when energized and has a number of discrete disc-shaped annular windings which surround the armature and each of which constitutes a discrete electromagnet whose magnetic field acts upon the armature. The number of discrete windings corresponds to the predetermined number of circumferential grooves in the armature.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE is a cross section through a diagrammatically illustrated magnet valve, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Discussing now the drawing in detail, it is again emphasized that it is illustrated diagrammatically for simplicity of explanation.

The winding means of this magnetic valve is composed of a plurality of discrete disc-shaped annular windings 10. These are arranged in axially succession and between each two successive windings, there is positioned a disc 11 of ferromagnetic material. The windings are so constructed that the polarity of the magnetic field strength differs from disc to disc. Because the windings 10 and the members 11 are all annular, they together surround a substantially cylindrical space in which there is located an armature 12 which is movable in axial direction of this space. In the illustrated embodiment, the armature 12 is configurated as a hollow cylindrical member and guided by a guide cylinder 13 for axial movement. The cylinder 13 itself is of hollow cylindrical configuration and connected at its upper portion with the valve housing.

As the drawing shows, the valve housing has a cylindrical center portion 14 in which the windings 10, the members 11 and that portion of the armature 12 which is permeated by the magnetic fields are arranged.

A projection 15 extends from the cylindrical center portion 14 of the housing, and at its lower end the projection 15 is provided with an aperture 16 through which the fuel to be injected into a nonillustrated internal combustion engine, exits. When the windings 10 are not energized, the aperture 16 is closed by a valve member 17 which is connected with the armature 12 and movable between two positions in one of which it closes the aperture 16, as illustrated in the drawing, and the other of which it is withdrawn from the aperture and permits fuel to pass through the same. A spring 19 is provided which cooperates with the armature l2 and a cover 18 which extends from above into the cylindrical portion 14 of the valve housing, urging the armature 12 and thereby the valve member 17 to valve-closing position which is illustrated in the drawing. A nipple 20 is provided on the cover 18 for connection of a nonillustrated fuel supply conduit or tube. Fuel which is to be injected into the nonillustrated combustion engine enters through the nipple 20 and thereby the cover 18, and passes into the interior of the cylinder 13, from there into the projection 15, and from there through the aperture 16 when the same is opened, that is when the windings 10 are energized.

A nut 21 presses the cover 18 against, or rather towards the windings 10, so that the latter and the members 11 are immovably held in place. The nut 21 cooperates with screw threads provided on the inner circumferential surface of the housing portion 14, as shown. Also secured to the cover 18 is the guide cylinder 13 for the armature 12.

As illustrated in the drawing, and in accordance with the present invention, the outer circumferential surface of the armature which faces the surrounding windings 10, is provided with a plurality of axially arranged circumferential grooves, whose number corresponds to the number of the windings or members 11, that is to the number of electromagnets thus provided. The conductors to the individual windings 11 pass to a connector 22 on the one hand, and at the other hand, are connected at 23 with the housing of the valve which housing in turn is connected with mass when it is installed in a combustion engine.

In operation of this herebefore discussed magnet valve, energization of the winding means causes the development between any two adjacent members 11 of the two poles of the electromagnet. The magnetic flux issues from one of these members 11 consisting of ferromagnetic material, and passes from there into one of the grooves which in nonenergized condition is still somewhat slightly offset with reference to the particular member 11, and from this groove it passes into the next adjacent member 11, also consisting of ferromagnetic material. Each disc magnet constitutes or forms a magnetic circuit so that the system of disc magnet and grooved armature, may be considered and calculated as a plurality of unwound rotary magnets.

When the armature has been fully displaced against the force of the spring 19 out of its rest position (which is shown in the drawing), then the grooves in the armature and the discs 11 are approximately juxtaposed, that is, each disc II is approximately juxtaposed to one of the grooves 12.

The magnetic forces act upon the entire outer surface of the armature l2 and not, as in the magnet valves known from the prior art, only upon the crosssectional area of the armature. Because of this, the valve constructed according to the present invention has extremely short response times and is therefore particularly well adapted for use in application where such short response times are desirable and required, such as in conjunction with fuel injection devices for high-revolution in ternal combustion engines.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a magnetic valve, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A magnetic valve, comprising a valve housing having an aperture; a valve member movable between two positions in which it respectively opens and blocks said aperture; winding means accommodated in said valve housing and composed of a plurality of coaxial ferromagnetic disk-shaped annuli each having an inner marginal portion and arranged in alternating sequence with a plurality of disk-shaped annular windings coaxial with one another and with said annuli; each of said windings constituting a discrete electromagnet a hollow cylindrical armature of ferromagnetic material connected to said valve member for movement therewith and located within the confines of said annuli and windings, said armature having an outer circumferential surface provided with a plurality of axially successive circumferential grooves corresponding in number to said windings and each of which is in only partial registry with the inner marginal portion of one of said annuli in the unenergized condition of said winding means; and a hollow guide sleeve for said armature accommodated in said valve housing and extending at least in part into said armature coaxially therewith.

2. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1; further comprising a helical biasing spring at least substantially accommodated in said guide sleeve coaxial with the same and with said armature and permanently tending to bias the latter to a position in which said valve member blocks said aperture.

3. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1, wherein said annuli each have an outer marginal portion provided with an axially projecting distancing bead which is in abutment with an axially adjacent one ofsaid annuli.

4. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 3, wherein said windings are of predetermined axial thickness, and said distancing beads have an axial length at least substantially equalling said thickness.

5. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1, wherein successive ones of said electromagnets are of alternate polarity. 

1. A magnetic valve, comprising a valve housing having an aperture; a valve member movable between two positions in which it respectively opens and blocks said aperture; winding means accommodated in said valve housing and composed of a plurality of coaxial ferromagnetic disk-shaped annuli each having an inner marginal portion and arranged in alternating sequence with a plurality of disk-shaped annular windings coaxial with one another and with said annuli; each of said windings constituting a discrete electromagnet a hollow cylindrical armature of ferromagnetic material connected to said valve member for movement therewith and located within the confines of said annuli and windings, said armature having an outer circumferential surface provided with a plurality of axially successive circumferential grooves corresponding in number to said windings and each of which is in only partial registry with the inner marginal portion of one of said annuli in the unenergized condition of said winding means; and a hollow guide sleeve for said armature accommodated in said valve housing and extending at least in part into said armature coaxially therewith.
 2. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1; further comprising a helical biasing spring at least substantially accommodated in said guide sleeve coaxial with the same and with said armature and permanently tending to bias the latter to a position in which said valve member blocks said aperture.
 3. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1, wherein said annuli each have an outer marginal portion provided With an axially projecting distancing bead which is in abutment with an axially adjacent one of said annuli.
 4. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 3, wherein said windings are of predetermined axial thickness, and said distancing beads have an axial length at least substantially equalling said thickness.
 5. A magnetic valve as defined in claim 1, wherein successive ones of said electromagnets are of alternate polarity. 